Homeowners have not paid much atten tion to bath rooms in the past, but in recent years the bathroom has come under scrutiny in the design world -and consumers are wanting more. Transformed from a mere functional space, nowadays it reflects the personality of the owner and adds value more than any other room. So it is no wonder people are spending more time and money to create glamorous, elegant and luxurious bathrooms.For this, people are remodelling it in new ways -planning spaces that will deliver comfort and style, while blending functional purpose with spa-like amenities with their unique visions and designs.

"Today, the bathroom has become a place to relax and rejuvenate with water experiences that soothe and excite the senses rather than just for the conventional purpose," says Uttam Rimal, branch and project manager of Bajra & Bajracharya Enterprises, Bijuli Bazar. He further adds that since most people have hectic schedules at work, luxurious bathrooms have become synonymous to their private sanctuaries at home.

Today's luxury bathrooms push the envelope, exceed the imagination, and dare to explore new avenues.Some items you can expect to find in a luxury bathroom these days are electronic faucets, smart toilets, tanning showers and spa showers, towel warmers and heated floors, shower rain heads and body sprays, bathroom wine coolers, bubbler tubs with fountain fills, even a waterproof TV for your shower.

These elements of bathroom come in umpteen varieties. Apart from the décor of the bathroom area, these elements play a major role in giving it a luxurious appearance. According to Rimal, luxury bathrooms need to be designed carefully to have the desired effect by choosing the right quality, accent pieces and bathroom fixtures. Because the bathroom is usually a small space, it presents some challenges in finding balanced and poignant design and décor.
Larger bathrooms are considered to be more luxurious compared to smaller ones.

According to dealers, rain shower is most preferred as it can be adjusted according to the person's choice and gives a wide range of experience from the soothing sensation of getting drenched in the rain to the powerful pulsating massage.
The price of a rain shower starts from Rs 10,000.

Elaborating on bath tubs, Rimal says, "Whirlpools, also known as jacuzzi, fall amongst the most luxurious bath fittings." Beside whirlpool, there are clawfoot, step-in, corners, recessed and hot bathtubs.
Soaking in the jacuzzi is similar to a spa experience which relieves one of all mental and physical weariness. The prices vary depending on the features and range from Rs 100,000 to Rs 1.2 million.

Rimal claims that on an average, they sell one whirlpool in a day. Similarly, people are also increasingly opting for steam cabinet with digital thermostatic valve (DTV) shower. The cost of DTV shower ranges from Rs 100,000 to Rs 400,000.

Spanish tiles add beauty to the bathroom as they look natural and are technically sound. Plain tiles are mostly used for flooring but people are increasingly using highlighter tiles on certain wall spaces that they wish to draw attention to.

"People who travel a lot are seeing marvellous bathrooms in high-end hotels and they want to bring the same experience home," says Kiran Amatya, market ing in-charge of Dugar Iron and Steel Trading Pvt Ltd.

Complete home theatres with flat-panel displays and multi-channel sound sys tems are gaining popularity in bathrooms. Similarly, people are also opting for wireless connectivity where one can browse the web while relaxing in the bathroom. Additional tips · Add dimmers and a place for candles by the tub to relax and de-stress in the bath.· Luxurious towels are the ultimate indulgence and one that helps transform bathroom into an oasis.

If possible, neatly stack them in an open shelf or on top of the bathtub decking.
· Bathroom rugs add an extra layer of luxury to your private space.

Many are made with a special non-slip backing for extra safety on wood and tile floors.
· Available in various styles, shapes and sizes, luxury shower curtains offer an aesthetic look and are the trendsetters in modern bathrooms.
· There is a range of contemporary bathroom vanity and storage cabinets to add to the sophisticated look as well as functionality · The beauty of plants and flowers add to the glam our of a luxury bathroom.

Use natural plants if your bathroom gets enough sunlight. If not, go for the silk version of plants and flowers, which are just the perfect replacement · Place cushy chairs or benches at one side of the bathroom that can be used for relaxing before as well as after baths.However, make sure that they match the overall décor of the bathroom.

source: The Himalayan Times: Property Plus